13 Sailors On The USS Theodore Roosevelt Have Tested Positive For Covid-19 A Second Time

TOPLINE

Thirteen sailors aboard the virus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for the coronavirus a second time, presenting another setback for the Navy, which has been criticized for its handling of the outbreak as it tries to prepare the aircraft carrier to return to normal operations.

KEY FACTS

News peg

Navy officers have been gradually allowing sailors back aboard the ship after more than 80% of the ship’s crew was evacuated due to an outbreak on the ship. More than 1,000 sailors among the 4,800-person crew contracted the disease.

Crucial quote

“The good news is that in this case you had a few individuals who showed symptoms. Because of the medical testing and the medical surveillance that we’ve put in place, they quickly were alerted, the medical crew on the ship. They were tested. They were removed from the ship and quarantined,” said Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs.

key background

The USS Theodore Roosevelt has been in the spotlight since the ship’s commanding officer criticized the Navy’s handling of the coronavirus on board in a leaked letter to the San Francisco Chronicle. After the ensuing scrutiny from the press and the public, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly removed the commanding officer from his position and called him “stupid” during a speech, which was then also leaked. Modly resigned a day later.

what’s next

The ship has docked in Guam since late March, and it’s unclear when it will be safe for the vessel to leave.

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